Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on the temptation of Christ. After his baptism by John, he went alone into the wilderness to meditate, pray, and prepare for the mission that the heavenly Father assigned to him. It was that such a mission required a good preparation.
Three verses from the Bible inform us of this temptation. It must be said that temptation is an act that aims to make us fall from the divine law, while the test allows us to measure our ability to overcome an obstacle in order to obtain a reward or a blessing.
First of all, we read in Matthew 4.1 the first verse: “Then Jesus was led away by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted by the devil.” The second is in Mark 1: 12-13 where it is written: “ At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.” And finally, in Luke 4.2: ” where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. “
Satan has always been the enemy of the divine work until the end of his ministry, because a fallen spirit of God naturally becomes a wicked being, an enemy, a tempter. Satan’s existence and action are very often asserted in the most challenging experiences to Christians.
He remained without food or drink, in absolute abstention from food and water, which was part of his preparation. And it is especially important to see in this temptation, a spiritual battle with the prince of darkness, a fight that would reappear in the Garden of Gethsemane the night of his treason by Judas.
But he was already filled with the Holy Spirit at the time of his baptism and had heard the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved son.” The slightest doubt with regard to this heavenly consecration would have broken the strength necessary for the struggle in which he was to enter later on.
But what does it take as weapons to dominate temptation?
- courage :
Joshua 1.9 ” Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 10.25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to you. “
2 Chronicles 32.6-8 ” He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: 7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. “
1 Corinthians 16.13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
- determination :
1 Timothy 6.12 ” Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good faith in the presence of many witnesses.”
2 Thessalonians 1.4 ” Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.”
Hebrews 10.23 ” Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
1 Peter 5: 9-10 ” Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
What armor did God put at the disposal of Christ?
- truth for belt and righteousness for breastplate:
Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,”
- shoe availability:
Ephesians 6:15 ” and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
- Faith as shield :
Ephesians 6:16 ” In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”
- Helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit:
Ephesians 6.17 “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” He said to the devil, ” Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ” Or again: “Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”
This discipline has allowed our Lord Jesus to have victory over evil at the same time:
- at the cross:
John 12: 31-33 ” Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted upfrom the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.”
Colossians 2:15 ” And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
- on the ascent
Ephesians 1: 20-21 ” he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
Philippians 2.9-11 “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
- on his return :
1 Corinthians 15.24-28 “Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.”
Revelation 19: 11-16 “Then I saw the open sky, and behold, a white horse appeared. He who ascended it is called Faithful and True, and he judges and fights with justice. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire; on his head were several diadems; he had a written name, which no one knows, except himself; 13 And he was clothed with a garment dyed with blood. His name is the Word of God. 14 The armies that are in heaven followed him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, pure white. 15 And out of his mouth came a sharp sword, to smite the nations; he will feed them with a rod of iron; and he will tread the vat of wine with the fiery anger of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords.
The consequences of the victory accomplished in Christ:
- The Lord God gives the victory:
Romans 8.1-2 ” Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
- We can do everything in Christ:
Philippians 4.13 ” I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- The Eternal Almighty God will crush satan under our feet:
Romans 16.20 ” The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
- victory is accomplished by the Spirit:
Romans 8: 9-13 “You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. “
Galatians 5.16-18 ” So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
This is why the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of enthroning his disciples in the kingdom of God, after humility and perseverance, in Luke 22: 27-30 “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
And He is ready to help us in our turn when needed, as it is written in Hebrews 2.18 “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Finally, he was tempted without failing: Hebrews 4.15 ” For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
In the end, Christ was able to conquer to sit with his father on his throne. He expects the same thing from us, that we can conquer to sit with him on his. Perseverance, faith, humility, meditation, loneliness, fasting, prayer and the use of spiritual weapons allow us to overcome temptation and evil. Our prayers are with all of you in this matter.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all adoration, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to revert on your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on seductions that lead to temptation.
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you in abundance.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord of armies.